Indicator Plants

• The most species-rich genus in the sedge family
• All are perennial
• Most species prefer wet forests and swamps but others thrive on harsh, exposed soils above the treeline

• Form: Sedges can be identified by their triangular, solid cross-section (sedges have edges and rushes are round).
• Leaves: Long, parallel-veined leaves
• Flowers: Borne in solitary spike. Flowers almost always unisexual (flowers either bear male or female parts)
• Fruit: Ovary and fruit are enclosed in a membranous sac (perigynium) in the axil of a single scale-like bract. The perigynium often extends into a beak which is divided at the tip into two teeth. The characteristics of the perigynium are often used to distinguish between species.
• Other: Carex species can be very difficult to tell apart. Often a hand lens or microscope is required for close examination of the perigynium and other structures.

• Important forage and habitat for a number of species
• Carex displays one of the most dynamic chromosome counts of any flowering plants, with species ranging from 6 to more than 60 chromosomes, along with considerable among-population variation within species

Examples of sedges:

• E flora of BC - Carex sp.

Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.

Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.